The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-11-14
The Child's Star.


He was only child-a boy of four or five
when, evening as he looked from his window,
he saw particular bright star in the heavens.
He was a child whom death had robbed of
father, mother. brothers and sisters, and was
all alone in the world. He was lonely for COM
panionship-for some one to love. and when he
saw the star he whispered to himself:
1T shines brightly. and it is SO near
heaven, that will call it my star and be friends
with it.
And so the friendship thus strangely brought
about lasted for days and weeks and years-for-
ever. Each night-when the had gone
down and the day had fallen aseep-the boy
looked for his star, and with his face turned to
heaven he talked to it in whispers, as he would
have talked to a companion. He did not know
at first what star was. nor why God placed it
in His heavens, but one day when somebody told
better than before It was nearer the spirits of
his dead. Aye! perhaps it was the window
through which they looked down upon the
earth.
The boy did not lose his love for the star as he
grew older. Sickness came-troubles and mis-
fortunes his lot, they come to others.
but his affection never waned. He told the star
of his hopes and plaps-of bis troubles and
heartaches-and his heart was always the lighter
for the telling Sometimes the light came
down with weeping and wailing, just as sorrow
comes to a man wnen he is old and bent and
almost ready to die. Then he looked in vail for
star. 1t was hidden in the wilderness of the
night, aud he trembllnglt whispered:
Perhaps ! shall never see it again. Suppose
it has gone from me forever!"
But good men aud women treasured him
They told him that God had set the star in the
heavens when time not, and it would re-
main there until time was no more. Once when
the child had grown to mans estate-stil low
ing, still trustng-still praying softly to his
star, of wicked heart Knocked him or his
faith, and declared that there was no God. For
a little time the man-child was crushed and dis
consulate, but that night the star shone so
brightly and twinkled merriy that he recov-
cred all his faith and his trust. and he prayed.
"Oh, sir, j shall never, never doubt you
again. You may be hidden from me some
times, but 1t is only to make you more precious
in my sight when you return!'
And ne grow to mans estate loving his star.
He grew to old age trusting in and praying to
the light which shone in the heavens when the
world slept and the trusting birds slept with
their heads under their wings.
When we had become very. very old he felt
day that death was drawing very near to
him. However. he was not afraid. Those
cit is Gods will. Only let me see my star
once more and shall oe ready to 60"
And the day died away like child going to
Sleep calmly and quietly that even the soft
south wind held its breath for fear to rustic the
leaves. The sun sunk slowly down in a great
OF purple and gold. and then the stars came
out one by one-faintly at notwithstanding as If
they feared to look down upon the wicked
ness of earth-out by and by the old mans star
blazed out ike a great diamond and he held up
his arms and entreatiugly called:
"Ohi star of my childhood-of my boyhood
of my manpood-of my old age-of my dying
hour-I am ready! Take me. star! My dead
are with you-heaven is illuminated with your
glorious lighrr
And they said he died with his face to the
star. and with a grand smile lighting up every